CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency in Braxton, Webster and Wood counties Monday afternoon following flash flooding from Sunday night into Monday morning.
“In the past 24 hours, areas of our state have experienced rockslides, mudslides and severe flooding as a result of major storms and substantial rainfall,” Gov. Tomblin said in a prepared statement. “State agencies have people in the field to help local offices of emergency management assess local damages, and additional state resources have been mobilized to prepare for a second major storm event expected to hit Monday evening.”
Tomblin also placed 35 additional counties under a State of Preparedness.
“As the forecast evolves over the next 24 hours, I encourage West Virginians to gather supplies necessary to prepare for flooding, power outages, downed electric lines and downed trees. As you make preparedness plans, I encourage you to talk to your family about what to do and where to go. Remember to check on the elderly and your neighbors, and consider a plan to care for household pets,” Tomblin said.
Counties under a State of Preparedness include:
Barbour, Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt and Wyoming counties.